As we move forward with OS versions, Don touches on a difference, that RS232 does not need a driver. Let it also be understood, that Microsoft does NOT, repeat, DOES NOT supply USB device drivers, BY DESIGN. A virtual RS232 port that appears in the hardware listing and surfaces in a real RS232 on the other side of some converter is a USER device. This was a flexibility wanted by the industry to sell new gadgets, code stuff when the they (not Microsoft) wanted to, and not have to bother with waiting for Microsoft to integrate it.
As a courtesy Microsoft distributes "certified" drivers via their updates. But MS does not support them. The responsibility for keeping USB device drivers functioning in spite of operating system changes, resides with the programmers of user software and USB devices. Whether one agrees with that division is up for debate, but whether that's the way it is now, for good or bad, is a fact. What is also apparent, is that the makers and programmers of such devices are all for the new sales, but not so interested in maintenance once the big bux have been raked in. Are you surprised? Once a USB port device is implanted in a K3, Elecraft becomes slave to all the OS issues, many still unresolved, especially with W7 64 bit, and will be responsible for keeping up with all the OS changes affecting USB to RS232. The popular ham programs are still expecting RS232, whether real or virtual. My question is why on earth would anyone want to stick their foot into that bear trap, and then spend the next decade dragging that chain around. USB is law of the jungle, with order just barely being maintained. Drivers will get tested for the big bux, high volume stuff, and ignored for everything else, unless there is someone like Microham, who depends on them, who will bite, bitch, annoy, bash and continuously robo-call a chip maker until they come up with a fix for something in a driver that's screwing them to the wall. That's really a swamp. You sure you really want to go with devices embedded in the K3? At least USB/RS232 converter cords have larger separate audiences, whose larger volume will get some testing. AND if they finally refuse to upgrade, you can toss it and go get someone else's version and try again. How do you do that if the device is embedded in the K3? Just gonna trust that there's still a programmer assigned long term in some chip company to deal with keeping up with the OS, trust that they're gonna stay in business. Wanna pay for the keep up with Microsoft cost embedded in anything you buy from Elecraft? Industrial devices are still, and remain, invested in RS232. Maybe there's a reason? Careful what you wish for. 73, Guy On Fri, May 21, 2010 at 9:09 AM, Don Wilhelm <[email protected]> wrote: > Those making a mod of that nature to a K2 (or any other radio) take on a > new responsibility. > > If anyone makes such a change and subsequently sells their K3, I would > hope that the sale would include a CD with the latest drivers for any OS > that could possibly be used with the K3. > Plain RS-232 does not need drivers - USB does, and those drivers are OS > dependent and OS level dependent. > When you are working out in the field with your laptop and your USB K3, > internet access to download new drivers may not be available. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > > Allan G Duncan wrote: >> I don't wish to re-ignite the RS232 vs USB connectivity debates which have >> regularly appeared on the reflector >> but some K3 owners may be interested in this product recently launched by >> FTDI. >> >> http://www.ftdichip.com/Documents/DataSheets/Modules/DS_DB9-USB-RS232.pdf >> >> >> > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[email protected] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
